RESPONSIVE REPRESENTATION

_{The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country}
Abraham Lincoln

Smarter, Simpler, Better

The Case for Fact-Founded Governance

Of all the predicaments enveloping this country, one is slow-boiling into a full blown crisis.

A crisis of truth.

We’ve been hurtling towards this crisis for some time now. Sure, no entity in this country has ever had a monopoly on truth-telling, but over the last few decades, we’ve seen a transformation in the way that people process information that has resulted in a jumbled-up jigsaw puzzle of incredibly uncredible sources. It got going in earnest with the dawn of the internet, when freedom of speech tested boundaries previously uncontested. It picked up steam in the 90’s as opinion-based cable news networks began to segment the American public into separate ideological stalls and feed them a non-stop slop of outrage journalism.

Within the decade, social media was born, and with it, the dissemination of disinformation on a scale unseen in human history. From ill-advised influencers to foreign spy agencies, social media has become the unholy breeding grounds for manufactured mistruth and outright hatred. Next came the wave of Trump-inspired political theatre, where tweeting verifiable lies and slithering around in slander quickly transitioned from a time-tested transgression to a celebrated form of electoral entertainment. And as human trolls began to give way to automated bots, the psychological trickery we were subjected to grew with each nefarious post, comment, like and share. And now, the crown jewel in the dark art of deception has finally arrived. Artificial intelligence essentially grants the ability to anyone with a laptop to conjure up unimaginable untruths in seconds – from deep fake photos of famous figures to the extremely personal impersonations of our own friends and family.

So what are Americans to do? For the moment, it appears our national leaders have collectively answered that question with “Yell Louder!” And we are encouraged to do so while retreating to our own corners of comfort, where the warm embrace of confirmation bias allows us to make sense of our world without having to question our worldview. It’s easier, and more rewarding than ever to validate our opinions in shallow echo chambers. But it’s not going work out in the long run. We won’t get very far as a nation in the 21^st century if we can’t restore some semblance of trust. Trust in sources that should be telling the truth. Trust in ourselves to be able to recognize when we’re being misled. And trust in each other to not only speak the truth, but to seek it.

Fact-founded governance is not something you can whip up with the swish of a magic wand. It’s something that has to be built. We can start this process with honest efforts and transformational transparency. Some of the ideas put forth in this section are not hard to implement. But they will require will. The will of those who genuinely desire accurate information. Unfortunately, they will be forced to battle those who thrive in the muck, those who sew division for their own gain, or the gain of their preferred party.

We are in an era of information overload, and if we don’t get a grip on how to tell fact from fiction, we will spiral into chaos with catastrophic consequences. To avoid this terminator-esque fate, we must not fail to embrace the challenge of challenging our own biases, while ensuring that we engage those of differing views in genuine good-faith. We can accomplish this by recognizeing the shared ideal, that we all desire a fact-founded government which operates not on a whim and prayer, but on hard data, hard realities and the hard-won consensus of those that it seeks to govern.

SMARTER POLICYMAKING

“Life is tough, but it’s tougher if you’re stupid.”

– John Wayne

Annual American Report Card

One fairly simple idea that can get better information into the hands of both Americans and policymakers is an Annual American Report Card, in which several indicators of our nations’ progress are examined alongside data from the previous year.

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Talking heads love to pull their favorite statistic out of the sky to try to prove their partisan points, but there is rarely a consensus on what the statistic actually means or even which source to use to get the information. An American Report Card to be released at the end of every calendar year would clear up much of the confusion by providing one, clearly defined, consistent and official statistical record of the most important factors in everyday American life. Five possible categories (with four indicators each) might look as follows:

1) Health: Life Expectancy, Median Cost of Health Insurance, Cancer Mortality Rate, Uninsured Rate
2) Poverty: Median Individual Income, Homeless Rate, Poverty Rate, Unemployment Rate
3) Economy: GDP, Inflation, Budget Deficit/Surplus, GINI Coefficient (inequality)
4) Wellness: Suicide Rate, Drug Overdose Rate, Graduation Rate, Divorce Rate
5) Crime: Homicide Rate, Hate Crime Rate, Incarceration Rate, Recidivism Rate

Other categories or different statistics may be included, so long as they are quantifiable and easy to understand. This allows for clear benchmarks to be set and progress to be assessed. In this example, each of the four indicators in a given category would be compared to the previous year’s data, earning one point for every indicator that improved. Each category is then totaled to arrive at a grade, similar to the familiar 4.0 scale used in schools:

A = 4 points (all 4 indicators improved)
B = 3 points (3/4 indicators improved)
C = 2 points (2/4 indicators improved)
D = 1 point (1/4 indicators improved
F = All indicators regressed in a given category

Additionally, every American could log into their USAccount to fill out an optional annual survey on the softer statistics to gauge the national mood. There would be no need for the usual parsing of methodology as there currently is with the wide variety of public polls conducted by phone or through self-selecting online ads. Key psychological indicators such as “Are you struggling to pay bills”, “Is American foreign policy on the right track” and “Are you happy?” would grant weight to the national conversation, mercifully replacing utterly useless partisan speculation.

This kind of transparency could finally give Americans a way to measure the progress for which our government, and our nation as a whole, are accountable. Objective grades published for all to see directly on their USAccounts and freely dissected by the media could be a hugely motivating factor for our legislative and executive branches to get their act together and work toward accomplishing common goals instead of simply relying on their ability to “spin” the narrative every time an election comes around.

The Peoples’ Panel

If there’s one thing that we can all agree on these days, it’s that it seems like nobody can agree on anything. But is that really true? Let’s find out.

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So much of what goes on our political discourse is noise. It’s bravado. It’s propaganda. And with the demise of network national news and print media, most of the country has been drawn over to the cacophonous echo chamber that is cable news and social media. On top of that, our fancy gadgets and ultra short attention spans keep us inundated with news and events from around the world, 24/7, leading many to engage in the outrage without the will or skill to actually research the topic. In short, nobody knows what to think anymore! So we just try our best to process issues through a predetermined set of filters to keep from losing our sanity. Which is precisely what is pushing Americans further and further apart. What we need are independent, trustworthy panels, utilizing the best and brightest minds in business, academia, science, health etc.. to broadly lay out the issue, address the challenges and find potential solutions.

For this, enter Citizen Commissions or colloquially “The People’s Panels”. These 13 person commissions are accountable not to any political party, government agency or think tank full of lobbyists. They are accountable to the people. Chosen by a special committee in congress in the same manner prosecutors and defense attorneys choose juries, these commissions would be tasked with tackling the most prescient, and controversial topics plaguing America. They would be charged with spending one full year doing a deep dive to better understand the issue from all angles, challenging their own perceptions, learning from other countries, debating with each other, and ultimately delivering a report to the American people outlining the ten best solutions that they have collectively agreed upon.

The final 100-page report will be due one year from the creation of the commission, and will be presented to congress in a formal, live streamed session free to the public. They may take question from the audience, as well as online, and must outline at least ten key proposals that are actionable today. These reports would serve not as policy directives, but as unbiased guiding stars for the most divisive features of our American democracy. An initial proposed list of 10 topics for review may include such hot button topics like: Gun Violence, Government Run Healthcare, Criminal Justice Reform, Poverty, Trade Policy, Immigration, Abortion, Climate Change, Artificial Intelligence and Military Readiness. Each recommendation is guaranteed an up or down vote in congress before the next election takes place.

Americans don’t know who to trust anymore, so they just retreat to their own corners, polarizing the nation and leaving critical problems left unsolved. Citizen’s Commissions can show that good people of varying backgrounds and beliefs can work together in an objective fashion, and they will go a long way in providing the credible, solution-oriented framework for policy desperately needed by politicians and the public they work for.

Managing Emerging Technology

We live in an unprecedented time of upheaval in politics and in society at large. That is in no small part due to rapid developments in technology, the pace of which, believe it or not, is about to speed up even faster. Our regulatory systems are built for a bygone era. They need to be updated, before things get out of hand.

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This means that serious thought must be put into the power that we give certain technologies over our lives. Any old dogmas surrounding regulation will warrant a complete rethink, because the massive tech companies of today are akin to the fossil fuel titans of the 20^th century; except far more effective, valuable and potentially dangerous. Reviving the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment can help give legislatures impartial knowledge on critical issues in tech, rather than being forced to rely on lobbyists and industry-funded research to guide their decisions.

Cabinet level secretaries and Permanent Committees in Congress should be created immediately to assist in boosting the benefits and managing the risks that shift every day along with emerging tech. This means establishing a Secretary / Committee on Future Technology, that can effectively speak to developments in computing, biotech, physics and space. Data privacy rights, online censorship, kids on social media and big tech monopolies are just some of the critical challenges we must address with sensible regulation now. But the ethical quandaries that we will face over the next twenty years will make the difficult deliberations of today look like child’s play in comparison.

Within the next two decades, our nation will go from asking if it’s ok to genetically modify our fruit to the whether or not we should genetically modifying our babies. Instead of regulating psychedelic drugs that alter our concept of reality, we will wonder whether stunningly lifelike virtual reality, is really reality. Rather than asking if kids brought to America are American citizens, we’ll ask if kids brought to Mars are Martian citizens. Instead of discussing the death penalty for murderers, we’ll be arguing the morality of indefinitely extending their life. The bitter abortion debate will turn to the concerns of ectogenesis (artificial wombs), and inevitably the discussion on when an embryo has consciousness will morph into when Artificial Intelligence becomes conscious. And as we predictably begin to use more robotics in medicine, we will go from asking what is it that defines a boy and a girl to what is it that defines a human and machine. Frankly, it’s frightening stuff. But it’s coming, whether we like it or not. We need to be ready.

SIMPLER INTERACTIONS

USAccounts

“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.”

– Albert Einstein

Automated Taxes: USAccounts

When the greatest mind in history has a hard time doing his taxes, you know it’s time to make some changes. In true bureaucratic fashion however, the US Tax Code has only gotten unfathomably more complicated, inefficient and unjust since Einstein’s famous declaration; as evidenced by billionaires who pay lower tax rates than their secretaries, and presidents who brag about paying no taxes at all. We can fix that.

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Unless you’re one of America’s 1.2 million tax professionals who get paid to navigate the 70,000 plus pages required to understand the US Tax Code, there is no real justification for forcing Americans to pull their hair out every April 15^th. If you aren’t a Jeff Bezos type with complex income streams, the IRS likely has all the information they need to prepare your taxes for you. They’ve likely already collected the taxes you owe from your employer, including the 7.65% in FICA taxes that are automatically deducted from your salary. (More accurately, they’ve collected 15.3% in FICA taxes, if you include the matching 7.65% “paid” by your employer, but which of course is simply passed on to you in the form of a lower salary). One of the greatest hallmarks of a ridiculously complex tax code is in fact these exact kinds of hidden taxes; the ones you never really see, but end up costing you just the same. Like the $12 billion Americans pay to tax preparation companies every year. Or the equal amount that the IRS spends to sift through those taxes in search of both intentional fraud and the honest mistakes of good people daring enough file for themselves. That alone is more than enough to fund NASA’s entire annual budget. But it doesn’t even begin to count the price of billions of hours wasted on tax prep, the legal costs of prosecuting and imprisoning tax evaders, the labyrinth of loopholes exploited by the wealthiest Americans, and the estimated one trillion dollars in unpaid taxes every year. What the Positive Party suggests is that – as hard as it is to believe – making tax season a thing of the past, is entirely possible. In fact, dozens of OECD countries have already done so. The implementation of automatic tax filing in America would increase transparency, fairness, and overall revenues while simultaneously decreasing the tax bills of most Americans, their employers and the federal government. And it starts, with easily the biggest no brainer in American bureaucracy: USAccounts.

USAccounts is a hypothetical name given to the online government account that every American needs. It would be a one-stop shop, secure portal for all interactions with the federal account, and is central to getting Americans the effective, modern government that they deserve. The Federal Government currently has all the necessary information to create such an account, as every legal resident already has a unique Social Security or Tax-ID number used for official government services. It would take an initial push to get every USAccount up and running, but it would be well, well worth the effort for both the government and the people to enjoy the accessibility and accountability that a streamlined online account would provide – the most obvious benefits would be straightforward taxes.

Establishment of a USAccount for every American employee (as well as employer) would finally allow for the age-old political pipe dream of a complete overhaul of the tax code to become a reality. In place of the diabolical web we’ve weaved over decades of legislation and lobbying, we would now have the option to implement a radically simplified system of revenue generation for our country. This system would be built around automatic tax withholding from paychecks based on a clean and understandable rate scale, and would ideally eliminate the myriad of deductions that have rendered complete chaos on our current system. For example, every employee’s paycheck would be subject to automatic withholding on a graduated scale starting at income of over $5,000, which would be taxed at the lowest rate of 1%. For every $5,000 increase in salary the rate would increase 1%; meaning once a salary reached $10,000, the salary would then be taxed at 2% – until $15,000 has been earned, at which point it would rise to 3%. At $20,000 it would increase to 4% and so on. At a certain point, perhaps around 100,000, or a 20% rate, a more graduated scale might come into play, ultimately topping out around today’s current top rate of 37%. The difference between these new rates and the marginal rates of today is that everyone would actually pay the amount that their tax rate stipulates, and creative accountants would not longer have the ability to reduce their clients’ “effective” tax rate to pennies on the dollar. The 1% sliding scale just described would equal income tax bills lower than the average current effective tax rates for the vast majority of Americans, but would increase the effective rates for the wealthy, who would no longer be able to skirt their societal obligations through tax avoidance strategies.

Of course, those wealthy individuals usually generate the majority of their income through capital gains, which is currently taxed at a far lower rate than earned income. The complexities of capital gains income do make it more difficult to address simply through USAccounts, but not impossible. Capital gains earned on investments like securities, bonds and dividends are already required to be reported by brokerages. Interest earned is reportable by banks, and real estate transactions and values are known by state governments and local governments who assess property tax. Capital losses and a lack of regular accounting mean capital gains taxes may still require a more traditional approach to assessment as of now, meaning IRS enforcement will be necessary to catch cheaters. And it’s entirely possible that American bureaucrats are not ready to simplify the tax code yet, and prefer to set up USAccounts while keeping our current corrupt system in place. This would still be a major victory for government efficiency. But one thing is for sure; in the long run, the elimination of loopholes and the inherent transparency of a USAccounts system will dramatically increase revenues and finally give us all the long overdue relief that billionaires aren’t buying more superyachts with money that was supposed to be helping homeless veterans.

Customizable Government Programs

USAccounts will be a game-changing development for taxation in America, but not just because of the transparency and accountability it will bring. It’s also about customization; using a straightforward, personalized approach to government, particularly when it comes to social welfare programs. From college loans and housing assistance to healthcare and social security, the gate is thrown wide open as to how individuals interact with the basic functions of a functioning government. Here’s how it would work:

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Let’s say a high school graduate has been accepted to a local university. She doesn’t come from a wealthy family, and needs to take out a loan for her first years’ tuition. With her USAccount ready, it’s as simple as logging in and choosing how much she needs. To make sure college is affordable for everyone while maintaining personal responsibility, loan “interest” is simply tied to inflation, and is automatically paid back through future income earned. Once graduated from university, the former student can dedicate 5% or more from her monthly income to go towards paying off her student loan.

This personalized system of government assistance can also be used to bridge gaps in housing costs for those who find themselves in need of short term-rental assistance. It can even be used for childcare loans to parents who don’t have enough cash to cover the costs upfront and don’t want to rack up credit card debt with outrageously high interest rates and penalties. It might even be used to grant loans for school choice or as seed money for young entrepreneurship. To avoid burdening overzealous loan takers and to prevent the potential for misused funds, it would be wise to implement a cap on the amount available for each type of loan, and to reduce cash transfers as much as possible by issuing direct payments to institutions or companies. If Congress decides to use these loans to further reduce poverty rates or even as a fiscal stimulus tool in times of crisis, they may choose to grant tax credits that can be used to pay back loan debt. Interest free or low interest loans that have automatic repayment procedures are a great way for governments to offer assistance to low and medium income families without the waste associated with bloated, bureaucratic, confusing and often fraudulent welfare programs.

In addition to loans, USAccounts may also one day be used as the mechanism from which people can purchase health insurance. With healthcare costs at unimaginable levels compared to OECD averages, a public option is likely to be implemented over the next few years. Once it is, people can simply opt in and pay a flat rate or a percentage of income in the range of 5-15% through their USAccounts. Or perhaps Congress decides to untangle the messy marriage of health insurance and employers, and group existing private health insurance plans into several tiers. This would allow Americans to choose their plan and pay for it with automatic deductions in their USAccount. Such a system would have an enormous impact on the unnecessary burdens we saddle on small businesses, the rigid inflexibility born by workers who can’t switch employers, and most importantly, it would increase coverage rates and lower the sky-high hidden costs of healthcare in America we see today.

But wait there’s more! Young Americans could also choose to set up retirement accounts, with an easy to understand system of deductions stashing away benefits that they can easily adjust and comprehend, replacing the system of crossed fingers and utter confusion that awaits retirees at the end of their careers. Automatic deductions could one day be the norm for tax-free personal rainy-day funds like disability, unemployment or family leave. Automatic deductions could even be used for those who are required to pay back debts to society. Income based automatic payments could help solve the problem of the ex-incarcerated being thrown back in jail when they fail to pay fines. Or perhaps the long-awaited pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants really does exist, in the form of an “immigration tax” that lasts for a period of 10-15 years in exchange for legal status and the ability to finally come out of the shadows and participate fully in American life. Imagine, a system where hard-line immigration hawks reap the benefits of local projects in their community funded by the formerly undocumented, while we all reap the benefits of escaping the ugly, two-tiered society of immigration driven fear and anger that we’re currently living in.

Making An Impact: Tax Choice

The ability of a USAccounts buildout to foster progress through personalized government interactions is extensive. Another incredibly important idea that would accomplish growth in our communities is a “Go Fund Me” style credit that would replace the current charitable tax write off that is so blatantly exploited by tax evaders.

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A portal would be created where tax payers can search for the charities that they support, and direct a portion of their taxes to the programs and projects close to their heart. The portal would include all registered non-profits, as well as certain state, local or federal government programs, and would massively increase the visibility and effectiveness of charitable giving in the United States. For example, say a tax payer really wants to see progress in defeating cancer. Or perhaps they want to support education for underprivileged youth. They can then search for approved non-profit organizations or government programs, and would be able to direct 1% of their taxes directly to the organization. The same process could play out for a conservationist who wants to fund ecological restoration or a space enthusiast who’s passionate about NASA’s Mars program. The knowledge that you are not just handing over your paycheck to a bureaucratic black hole, but actually contributing to the society you want to build, would revolutionize how Americans see their participation in the nation’s progress, and begin to break down some of the biggest psychological barriers between a government and its people.

The concept of USAccounts doesn’t just affect tax-policy though, it affects every government system Americans are required to comply with. Through their USAccount, Americans can easily fill out applications, register for services or update their information. Whether it’s for passport requests, disability claims, voter enrollment or vehicle registration, their USAccount will either provide the ability to directly process documentation related to the federal government, or link people with the proper state or local agency. The massive confusion, inconsistency, and opening for cybercrime that exists in today’s myriad of government run websites would thus be vastly curtailed.

As a final note, USAccounts will also harness several other benefits that will help government become more responsive to the will of the people. Optional surveys can gauge public opinion directly, and in real-time, without relying on third party polling outfits that often prove unreliable and biased. This would allow politicians and government agencies to craft policies that people actually tell them they want. Public opinion registered through verified USAccounts might also one day lead to the ability to petition the government for legislation, referendums, or recalls, leading to the first real direct American engagement in our long and winding path toward a more free and democratic society.

BETTER RULES

“Don’t be afraid to take a big step. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.”

-Henry Ford

Revamping Congressional Procedure

Does anybody think Congress works well? Anybody? Buehler?

So why is it that we focus so intently on the angry bickering of those who inhabit its halls instead of addressing the structural issues that lead to angry bickering from those who inhabit its halls?

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Several changes to how Congress operates are necessary, and they should not be viewed through partisan lenses. First among the changes recommended by the Fusion Party is Congress’ corrupt system of patronage. Committee positions should not be based on seniority, and should not be handed out by party elders for fealty or dedication to donations. They should be chosen, one by one – as in a sports draft. Each new Congress, members should be assigned a random number, and choose their preferred committee, rather than groveling at the feet of Party leaders or phone banking to put money in the party coffers. Alternatively, each congressional member could receive 100 points that they are allowed to use in an “auction” for committee assignments. That way, if one member really cares about getting on a certain committee, they can assure themselves a spot while perhaps sacrificing their second choice. Most importantly, this system would be more fair, lead to less corruption, and encourage open mindedness and third party participation, as any independent member would not have to join one of the two major party caucuses.

Other ancient rules such as the filibuster, and how bills are brought to the floor should be overhauled as well. Leadership roles should be less mob boss, more upper management. Bi-partisan caucuses based on geography should take precedence over the party caucuses that stifle dissent and cooperation. Committee leadership should be chosen by committee vote (ranked choice style) not by party affiliation. And perhaps the most effective way to better democratize Congress and decrease partisanship is to afford the American electorate the ability to choose the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader every four years. These positions would not be tied to a congressional seat, and would decouple the most powerful people in American government from party pressures, encouraging more bipartisanship and increased civility in the process. If it’s going to take time for direct election of the third in line to the Presidency, then the House can choose by Ranked Choice Voting in the meantime, rather than the current disasterously unceremonious ceremony. The two leaders of Congress are consistently among the least popular officials in government. At least give the American public a choice in who they get to loathe.

Redefining Federalism

One of the clearest partisan divides in our country is one that has been with us right since the founding of our country. Indeed, the first parties in the United States were not the Republican or Democratic parties, but the Federalist and Anti-Federalist parties, with the former advocating for a stronger Federal government and the latter for greater state autonomy. The parties have not kept up with the times.

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We no longer live in a 1700s world, where most people rarely left their hometown, let alone home state. These days we cross the 3000-mile journey from sea to shining sea in the span of an Avatar film, and can pick up and move to a new state, or several states at the same time, on a dime. With remote jobs only set to increase the distance between where we work and where we live, we must therefore look at how to better integrate the rules and regulations across states so that its easier to be an American first.

This can be facilitated greatly through USAccounts. Some areas that used to be easier for local and state governments to control could be handled much easier, and more efficiently through a centralized federal system. Drivers’ licenses and automobile registrations for example, could easily be handled through USAccounts, eliminating the fines, stress and dangerous loopholes every time one relocates. Health insurance that works in one state should work in all. And while solid competition between states is important, they should not be able to undercut each other with huge tax breaks for large multinational companies looking to hoard more cash. We don’t like it when other countries lowball the US government to lure away American jobs, so why do we allow our own states to cannibalize each other’s economies. If a state’s taxpayers support a company during its growth phase, that company should at least pay an exit tax when they leave.

At the same time it consolidates some responsibilities, the federal government may want to hand off other obligations back to the states. Land owned by the United States could, for example be leased or sold to the states to fund infrastructure projects. Those projects however, should be handled exclusively by the states that benefit from them. The relationship between the Federal government, states, and the people that inhabit both is the perfect topic for one of the first Citizens’ Commissions, allowing for fact-driven policy changes that throw out old dogmas and identify the most effective ways for Americans to collaborate in this new age of modern federalism.

Reviewing Bureaucracy: Spring Cleaning

Every two years the United States government should clean its house.

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Outdated regulations, irrelevant statutes and harmful old laws gum up the works of policymaking. Once a bill is passed it is seldom re-examined. Every two years a Bi-Cameral Congressional committee should select a minimum of 10 laws to put before Congress to either reauthorize or remove from the books; and ten regulations to send to federal agencies for the same purpose. The aim is not just to make government statutes less cumbersome, but to instill in Congress a mindset of renewal, which should result in more bills with sunset provisions. Such legislation automatically expires if not renewed, giving future legislatures the automatic chance to weigh in on whether a law has achieved its objectives or not.

In addition to the laws and regulations identified by Congress, the American public should be able to nominate five of each through their USAccounts. A write-in poll would send to Congress the top five laws and regulations that citizens wish to see reviewed on a bi-annual basis, giving the people a direct say in what they feel is overreach by previous elected officials. Let the great de-cluttering of government begin.